Expressing "small quantity" with "jiu"

就 (jiù) is often translated simply as "just" or "only," but there are some nuances to how it is used.

Used as "Only"

就 can also be used to express one person or thing, similar to how we say in English "just one person" or "just one left." It is often paired with 一个 or similar in order to emphasize the small quantity.

Used before Subject

Structure

就 + Subj. + Predicate

The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.

Examples

• 这 件 事 就 我 知道 。Zhè jiàn shì jiù wǒ zhīdào.I'm the only person that knows about this.
• 我们 都 忘 了 ，就 他 还 记得 。Wǒmen dōu wàng le, jiù tā hái jìde.We all forgot. Only he still remembers it.
• 所有 的 菜 都 很 好吃，就 这 两 个 菜 有点 咸 。Suǒyǒu de cài dōu hěn hǎochī, jiù zhè liǎng gè cài yǒudiǎn xián.All the food is delicious. Just these two dishes are a little salty.
• 大家 都 下班 了 ，就 老板 还没 走 。Dàjiā dōu xiàbān le, jiù lǎobǎn hái méi zǒu.Everyone finished work and left. Only the boss hasn't left.
• 你 觉得 别人 都 是 傻子 吗？就 你 聪明 ？Nǐ juéde biérén dōu shì shǎzi ma? Jiù nǐ cōngming?Do you think everyone is an idiot? That only you are smart?

In this case, the 就 comes before the verb, and what's being emphasized as "small quantity" comes after the verb, either as an object or some other kind of small quantity.

Used before the Predicate

Structure

Subj. + 就 + Predicate

Examples

• 我 就 去 过 一 次 。Wǒ jiù qù guo yī cì.I've only been there once.
• 我 早饭 就 吃 了 一 片 面包 。Wǒ zǎofàn jiù chī le yī piān miànbāo.I only had a piece of bread for breakfast.
• 他 的 事 ，我们 就 知道 一点点 。Tā de shì, wǒmen jiù zhīdào yīdiǎndiǎn.We only know a little about his stuff.
• 她 在 我们公司 就 工作 了 两个 月。Tā zài wǒmen gōngsī jiù gōngzuò le liǎng gè yuè.She has worked at our company for only two months.
• 你 就 点 了 两 个 菜 ？Nǐ jiù diǎn le liǎng gè cài?You ordered only two dishes?

Used as "Only Have"

In this case, 就 means "only have," similar in meaning to 只有. (In these cases, however, 就有 would not be correct, however. Just use 就.)

Structure

Subj. + 就 + Number + [Measure Word] + Noun

Examples

• 为什么 这里 就 一 个 厕所 ？Wèishéme zhèlǐ jiù yī gè cèsuǒ?Why does this place only have one bathroom?
• 你们 家 就 一 个 孩子 吗 ？Nǐmen jiā jiù yī gè háizi ma?Does your family only have one child?
• 我 就 一 个 哥哥 。Wǒ jiù yī gè gēge.I only have one brother.
• 他 在 上海 就 一 个 朋友 。Tā zài Shànghǎi jiù yī gè péngyou.He only has one friend in Shanghai.
• 我们 公司 就 三 个 员工 。Wǒmen gōngsī jiù sān gè yuángōng.There are only three employees in our company.

See also

• Comparing "cai" and "jiu"
• Events in quick succession with "yi... jiu"
• Expressing earliness with "jiu"
• Expressing indifference with "jiu"
• Limiting scope with "jiu"
• "If…, then…" with "ruguo…, jiu…"

Sources and further reading

Books

• 现代汉语虚词例释 (pp. 315) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 175-6) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 120) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) (pp. 570) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

Dictionaries

• 现代汉语词典（第5版） (p. 733) →buy

HSK4